Issue

Vol. 18 (2026)

Harnessing the Power from Ambient Moisture with Hygroscopic Materials

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01983-y
Daozhi Shen
School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
Fangzhou Li
School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
Yanjie Su
Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, School of Electronics Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
Limin Zhu
School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Yanjie Su

yanjiesu@sjtu.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 133

Abstract

Moisture electricity generation (MEG) has emerged as a sustainable and versatile energy-harvesting technology capable of converting ubiquitous environmental moisture into electrical energy, which holds great promise for renewable energy and constructing self-powered electronics. In this review, we begin by outlining the fundamental mechanisms—ion diffusion, electric double layer formation, and streaming potential—that govern charge transport for MEG in moist environments. A comprehensive survey of material innovations follows, highlighting breakthroughs in carbon-based materials, conductive polymers, hydrogels, and bio-inspired systems that enhance MEG performance, scalability, and biocompatibility. We then explore a range of device architectures, from planar and layered systems to flexible, miniaturized, and textile-integrated designs, engineered for both energy conversion and sensor integration. Key challenges are analyzed, along with strategies for overcoming them. We conclude with a forward-looking perspective on future directions, including hybrid energy systems, AI-assisted material design, and real-world deployment. This review presents a timely and comprehensive overview of MEG technologies and their trajectory toward practical and sustainable energy solutions.


Highlights:
1 Typical structures/working mechanisms of moisture electricity generation (MEG) devices are comprehensively reviewed.
2 An extensive comparison of the power generation between various materials and architectures are summarized.
3 Applications, challenges, and future development directions of MEG technology, especially the artificial intelligence-assisted material discovery, are discussed.

Keywords

Moisture electricity generation Hydroelectricity Nanogenerators Materials design Hygroscopic material
Shen, Daozhi, Fangzhou Li, Yanjie Su, and Limin Zhu. 2026. “Harnessing the Power from Ambient Moisture With Hygroscopic Materials”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (January):133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01983-y.
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